Even though there is no overt ideological alignment, Beijing and Moscow currently enjoy the best relations since the late 1950s. While China and Russia have no formal alliance, the two countries do have an informal agreement to coordinate diplomatic and economic movies. Yet, as the two authoritarian nations are strengthening political, economic, and military ties, the relationship has become more imbalanced in China’s favor.
Moscow has also become more beholden to Beijing than it was prior to its invasion of Ukraine – and there have even been calls this month that Russia should try to buy back the Soviet aircraft carrier sold by Ukraine to China following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Launched in November 1988, the unfinished Kuznetsov-class aircraft carrier Varyag was transferred to Ukraine in 1992 – but Kyiv was unable to complete the vessel, and sold it to China, where it was termed as a pile of scrap metal.
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